Recording/playback apparatus with telephone and its control method, video camera with telephone and its control method, image communication apparatus, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

This invention has as its object to appropriately inform the user of reception of an incoming call in accordance with the operation mode of a video camera upon arrival of call. To achieve this object, an apparatus has a telephone and video camera in a single housing, and comprises a device for muting a ringing tone during image sensing by the video camera.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a recording/playback apparatus withtelephone and its control method, a video camera with telephone and itscontrol method, an image communication apparatus, and a storage medium.

Since a conventional video camera and telephone are used for differentpurposes, they have independent product forms. In recent years, upondevelopment of semiconductors, communication techniques, and the like,proliferation of the information industries represented by the Internet,broadening of the range of consumers' needs, and so on, various productforms have emerged. Even in a video camera, there are needs to not onlyfor a photographer or a person whose image is sensed personally observethe image, but also to quickly transmit video data as a kind ofinformation to a broad range of recipients via a public line.

However, since information sensed by a video camera is temporarily savedin a recording medium, and is then transmitted via the public line,troublesome operation for the operator for connecting a device such as atelephone or the like and the video camera via an interface device, andtransmitting information, and a special device therefor are required.Also, on the receiving side of that information, some device forreceiving the information, cumbersome operation for waiting for theinformation after preparation for receiving the information, and aspecial device therefor are required.

As a method of solving this problem, a device that integrates a cameraand telephone, which is called a videophone, has been developed.

FIG. 1 shows the arrangement of a conventional videophone.

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a lens; 2, a stop ofthe lens; 3, a motor for driving a zoom lens; 4, a driving means fordriving the zoom lens; 5, a motor for driving the stop; 6, a drivingmeans for driving a stop mechanism; 7, a motor for driving a focus lens;and 8, a driving means for driving the focus lens.

Reference numeral 9 denotes an image sensing element (CCD); 10, aCDS/AGC circuit for sampling & holding a video signal output from theimage sensing element, and performing AGC (auto gain control) of thevideo signal; 11, an A/D converter for converting an analog signal intoa digital signal; 12, a camera signal processing circuit for processingluminance and color signals to obtain an appropriate video signal; and13, an image compression/expansion circuit for compressing/expanding animage. The image compression/expansion circuit 13 uses, for example,JPEG, H263, a DV format, or the like.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a memory; 15, a communication protocolcircuit; 16, a PHS transmitter/receiver;. 17, a microcomputer; 18, a D/Aconverter for converting a digital signal into an analog signal; 19, anantenna; 20, a monitor (or a liquid crystal display device); 21, a keydiscrimination circuit; and 22, a ten-key pad for inputting a telephonenumber.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a microphone; 24, an audio signalprocessing circuit for processing an audio signal input from themicrophone to obtain an appropriate signal; and 25, an A/D converter forconverting an analog audio signal into a digital signal.

The operation of the above arrangement will be explained below.

Incoming light from an object via the lens 1 is photoelectricallyconverted into an electrical signal by the image sensing element 9. Theelectrical signal is processed by the camera signal processing circuit12 to obtain a video signal. Furthermore, the video data is compressedby the image compression/expansion circuit 13, and the compressed datais stored in the memory 14.

The data compressed by the image compression/expansion circuit 13 isprocessed by the communication protocol circuit 15 to obtain dataaccording to a prescribed communication protocol, and the processed datais transmitted from the antenna 19 via the PHS transmitter/receiver 16.The data output from the camera signal processing circuit 12 isconverted into an analog signal by the D/A converter 18, and the analogsignal is processed to be displayed on the monitor. After that, an imageis output to the monitor.

Moreover, image and audio radio signals transmitted from an externaldevice are received by the PHS transmitter/receiver 16 via the antenna19, and image and audio data are obtained via the communication protocolcircuit 15. The image data is then expanded by the imagecompression/expansion circuit 13, and is output to the monitor via theD/A converter 18.

The microcomputer 17 controls the system of this apparatus, and performsvarious kinds of lens control (control of the focus lens, zoom lens, andstop), camera signal processing control, communication control, keycontrol, and the like.

The ten-key pad 22 is used for inputting a telephone number of thecalled party upon placing a call, and the discrimination circuit 21discriminates the input key. The output from the discrimination circuit21 is input to the microcomputer 17, which executes a series of controlprocesses for placing a call.

The same applies to an audio signal. That is, after a voice is inputfrom the microphone 23, the audio signal is processed by the audiosignal processing circuit 24, and is input to the communication protocolcircuit 15 via the audio A/D converter 25. After that, the audio signalis transmitted as a radio signal from the antenna 19 via the PHStransmitter/receiver as in the video signal.

However, the conventional videophone has no special function, e.g., afunction of automatically adjusting the focus on a person designated ona screen, or a function of optimizing exposure of a person designated onthe screen, upon sensing an image by the camera. Even if such functionsare available, they are not suitable for a product like a videophone forwhich a compact structure is of prime importance, since operation keystherefore must be added.

Also, in the conventional videophone, since the function of placing acall and a function of sensing an image by the camera are simultaneouslyexecuted, the battery is used up soon. In addition, an operation meansfor placing a call, and an operation means for sensing a camera imageare separately present, and such means are not suitable for a productlike a videophone for which a compact structure is of prime importance,since operation keys therefore must be further added.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in consideration of the conventionalproblems, and has as its object to improve the operability of both arecording/playback apparatus or video camera with a telephone function,and the telephone function.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an imagecommunication apparatus which can automatically adjust the focus on adesignated object.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an imagecommunication apparatus which can optimize the exposure value of adesignated object.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an imagecommunication apparatus which can enlarge or reduce the image of adesignated object.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an imagecommunication apparatus which can easily select a menu displayed on amonitor.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an imagecommunication apparatus which can be rendered compact by reducing thenumber of operation keys.

In order to solve the aforementioned problems and to achieve the aboveobjects, a recording/playback apparatus with telephone according to thepresent invention is characterized by the following arrangement.

That is, a recording/playback apparatus with telephone, which has atelephone and recorder/player in a single housing, comprises means formuting a ringing tone upon reception of a call during recording by therecorder/player.

A video camera with telephone according to the present invention ischaracterized by the following arrangement according to its firstaspect.

That is, a video camera with telephone, which has a telephone and videocamera in a single housing, comprises means for muting a ringing toneupon reception of a call during image sensing by the video camera.

A video camera with telephone according to the present invention ischaracterized by the following arrangement according to its secondaspect.

That is, a video camera with telephone, which has a telephone and videocamera in a single housing, comprises means for pausing image sensing ofthe video camera upon reception of a call during image sensing by thevideo camera.

A video camera with telephone according to the present invention ischaracterized by the following arrangement according to its thirdaspect.

That is, a video camera with telephone, which has a telephone and videocamera in a single housing, comprises means for stopping various callreception informing functions that disturb image sensing, and displayinga call reception message on a display, upon reception of a call duringimage sensing by the video camera.

A video camera with telephone according to the present invention ischaracterized by the following arrangement according to its fourthaspect.

That is, a video camera with telephone, which has a telephone and videocamera in a single housing, comprises selection means for selecting afunction of stopping various call reception informing functions thatdisturb image sensing, and displaying a call reception message on adisplay, upon reception of a call during image sensing by the videocamera.

A method of controlling a recording/playback apparatus with telephoneaccording to the present invention is characterized by the followingarrangement.

That is, a method of controlling a recording/playback apparatus withtelephone, comprises the step of muting a ringing tone upon reception ofa call during recording by the recording/playback apparatus.

A method of controlling a video camera with telephone according to thepresent invention is characterized by the following arrangementaccording to its first aspect.

That is, a method of controlling a video camera with telephone,comprises the step of muting a ringing tone upon reception of a callduring image sensing by the video camera.

A method of controlling a video camera with telephone according to thepresent invention is characterized by the following arrangementaccording to its second aspect.

That is, a method of controlling a video camera with telephone,comprises the step of pausing image sensing of the video camera uponreception of a call during image sensing by the video camera.

A method of controlling a video camera with telephone according to thepresent invention is characterized by the following arrangementaccording to its third aspect.

That is, a method of controlling a video camera with telephone,comprises the step of stopping various call reception informingfunctions that disturb image sensing, and displaying a call receptionmessage on a display, upon reception of a call during image sensing bythe video camera.

A method of controlling a video camera with telephone according to thepresent invention is characterized by the following arrangementaccording to its fourth aspect.

That is, a method of controlling a video camera with telephone,comprises the step of selecting a function of stopping various callreception informing functions that disturb image sensing, and displayinga call reception message on a display, upon reception of a call duringimage sensing by the video camera.

A storage medium according to the present invention is characterized bythe following arrangement according to its first aspect.

That is, a storage medium stores a program for implementing a method ofcontrolling a recording/playback apparatus with telephone of a method ofcontrolling a recording/playback apparatus with telephone, comprisingthe step of muting a ringing tone upon reception of a call duringrecording by the recording/playback apparatus.

A storage medium according to the present invention is characterized bythe following arrangement according to its second aspect.

That is, a storage medium stores a program for implementing a method ofcontrolling a video camera with telephone of a method of controlling avideo camera with telephone, comprising the step of muting a ringingtone upon reception of a call during image sensing by the video camera.

A storage medium according to the present invention is characterized bythe following arrangement according to its third aspect.

That is, a storage medium stores a program for implementing a method ofcontrolling a video camera with telephone of a method of controlling avideo camera with telephone, comprising the step of pausing imagesensing of the video camera upon reception of a call during imagesensing by the video camera.

A storage medium according to the present invention is characterized bythe following arrangement according to its fourth aspect.

That is, a storage medium stores a program for implementing a method ofcontrolling a video camera with telephone of a method of controlling avideo camera with telephone, comprising the step of stopping variouscall reception informing functions that disturb image sensing, anddisplaying a call reception message on a display, upon reception of acall during image sensing by the video camera.

A storage medium according to the present invention is characterized bythe following arrangement according to its fifth aspect.

That is, a storage medium stores a program for implementing a method ofcontrolling a video camera with telephone of a method of controlling avideo camera with telephone, comprising the step of selecting a functionof stopping various call reception informing functions that disturbimage sensing, and displaying a call reception message on a display,upon reception of a call during image sensing by the video camera.

An image communication apparatus according to the present invention ischaracterized by the following arrangement according to its firstaspect.

That is, an image communication apparatus comprises an image sensingelement for photoelectrically converting light coming from an object,and outputting an image signal, focusing means for focusing the lightcoming from the object on the image sensing element, focus adjustmentmeans for adjusting a focus position of the focusing means, displaymeans for displaying at least an image sensed by the image sensingelement, area setting means for setting an area including an objectimage to be focused on the image sensing element on a screen of thedisplay means, driving means for driving the focus adjustment means tofocus the object image in the area set by the area setting means on theimage sensing means, transmission means for transmitting data includingan image signal sensed by the image sensing element by radio, andreception means for receiving data from another apparatus by radio.

An image communication apparatus according to the present invention ischaracterized by the following arrangement according to its secondaspect.

That is, an image communication apparatus comprises an image sensingelement for photoelectrically converting light coming from an object,and outputting an image signal, focusing means for focusing the lightcoming from the object on the image sensing element, stop adjustmentmeans for adjusting a stop of the focusing means, display means fordisplaying at least an image sensed by the image sensing element, areasetting means for setting an area including an object image, which is tohave an appropriate exposure value on the image sensing element, on ascreen of the display means, driving means for driving the stopadjustment means to obtain an appropriate exposure value of the objectimage in the area set by the area setting means on the image sensingmeans, transmission means for transmitting data including an imagesignal sensed by the image sensing element by radio, and reception meansfor receiving data from another apparatus by radio.

An image communication apparatus according to the present invention ischaracterized by the following arrangement according to its thirdaspect.

That is, an image communication apparatus comprises an image sensingelement for photoelectrically converting light coming from an object,and outputting an image signal, display means for displaying at least animage sensed by the image sensing element, image enlargement/reductionmeans for enlarging or reducing an image on the display means, areasetting means for setting an area including an object image to beenlarged to reduced on a screen of the display means, control means forcontrolling the image enlargement/reduction means to enlarge or reducethe object image in the area set by the area setting means, transmissionmeans for transmitting data including an image signal sensed by theimage sensing element by radio, and reception means for receiving datafrom another apparatus by radio.

An image communication apparatus according to the present invention ischaracterized by the following arrangement according to its fourthaspect.

That is, an image communication apparatus comprises an image sensingelement for photoelectrically converting light coming from an object,and outputting an image signal, display means for displaying at least animage sensed by the image sensing element and/or a character, selectionmeans for displaying a menu used for selecting or executing one of aplurality of functions on the display means, and selecting apredetermined function from the displayed menu, transmission means fortransmitting data including an image signal sensed by the image sensingelement by radio, and reception means for receiving data from anotherapparatus by radio.

In the image communication apparatus according to the present invention,the display means further displays an image signal in the data receivedfrom the other apparatus.

An image communication apparatus according to the present invention ischaracterized by the following arrangement according to its fifthaspect.

That is, an image communication apparatus comprises image sensing meansfor sensing an object image, transmission/reception means fortransmitting/receiving data by radio, operation means for operating theimage sensing means and the transmission/reception means, and switchingmeans for switching the operation means between a state for operatingthe image sensing means, and a state for operating thetransmission/reception means.

Other objects and advantages besides those discussed above shall beapparent to those skilled in the art from the description of a preferredembodiment of the invention which follows. In the description, referenceis made to accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and whichillustrate an example of the invention. Such example, however, is notexhaustive of the various embodiments of the invention, and thereforereference is made to the claims which follow the description fordetermining the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a prior art;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a CPU shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a sequence chart of the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a display example on a display in thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an image communication apparatus accordingto the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows the layout of operation switches;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an image communication apparatus accordingto the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an image communication apparatus accordingto the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an image communication apparatus accordingto the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 shows the layout of operation keys in the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an image communication apparatus accordingto the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 shows the layout of operation switches;

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the operation of the image communicationapparatus of the sixth embodiment;

FIG. 18 shows another example of the switch layout; and

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of an image communication apparatus accordingto the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First Embodiment)

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a video camera with telephoneaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, reference numeral 300 denotes a video camera mainbody with telephone; 301, an antenna; 302, an external input/outputterminal; 303, a camera; 304, a loudspeaker for outputting a receivedvoice; 305, a display for outputting a received image or an image sensedby the video camera main body; 306, operation keys; 307, a microphone;and 310, a trigger switch.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the video camera with telephoneshown in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 3, reference numeral 308 denotes aninsertion panel of a recording medium; and 309, an external power supplyfor the video camera main body with telephone.

In the video camera with telephone having the above arrangement, theoperator inserts a recording medium into the recording medium insertionpanel 308 upon sensing an image by the video camera, and records animage sensed by the camera 303, a voice picked up by the microphone 307,and various kinds of information such as image sensing information andthe like on the recording medium. To access a radio public telephonenetwork or a partner station, the operator operates the operation keys306 to connect to a radio transmission path via the antenna 301 so as toestablish connection with the partner station.

Upon establishing connection, video data sensed by the camera 303, audiodata input by the microphone 307, and various kinds of information forcontrol are transmitted as transmission information. Of receivedinformation, video information is displayed on the display 305, andaudio information is output to the loudspeaker 304. Also, such receivedinformation can be recorded on the recording medium. The video camerawith telephone may be remote-controlled by received control information.

Upon receiving a call by access from the radio public network or thepartner station during image sensing by the operator, the video camerawith telephone operates in accordance with a call reception mode and avideo camera operation mode of the video camera main body 300 withtelephone, which are set by the operator.

The video camera operation mode is selected from a-1: no mode change,and a-2: pause image recording. If a-1 is selected, no mode change ismade; if a-2 is selected, the control enters an image recording pausemode. The call reception mode is selected from b-1: normal callreception, and b-2: image recording call reception. If b-1 is selected,normal call reception proceeds, i.e., an alerting bell, vibrator, LED,or the like functions; if b-2 is selected, image recording callreception proceeds, and the call reception function is stopped if it maydisturb normal image recording. The call reception function that maydisturb normal image recording includes sound produced by the alertingbell, vibration generated by the alerting vibrator, and a light sourcesuch as the call reception LED.

In case of image recording call reception, a call reception message isdisplayed on the display 305. At this time, the telephone number of thecalling party, video information, importance level of the accesspurpose, subject matter, and the like are additionally displayed.Furthermore, as the video camera operation mode, other operation modessuch as a stop mode, and the like, a mode of turning off the videocamera unit, and the like may be added. Also, as the call receptionmode, a call reception deny mode, transfer mode, automatic answeringmode, and the like may be added. The display 305 can display an imagesensed by the camera 303, and received information. Various kinds ofinformation obtained can be input/output via the external input/outputterminal 302. The video camera with telephone operates on the battery309. The call reception mode and video camera operation mode are setusing the operation keys 306. The recording medium is not particularlylimited. For example, a magnetic tape, solid-state memory, and the likemay be used.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the video camera with telephone in thefirst embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, reference numeral 200 denotes the overall block ofthe video camera with telephone; 201, a lens for receiving an image;202, a solid-state sensor for converting an image into an electricalsignal; 203, an A/D converter for converting an analog signal intodigital data; 204, a motor for driving the lens 201; 205, an alertingvibrator for informing the operator of reception of an incoming call;209, a microphone for picking up a voice; 210, a microphone amplifierfor amplifying an audio signal; 211, an A/D converter for converting anaudio signal into digital data; 212, operation keys used for operatingthe video camera 200 with telephone; 213, a display driver forconverting an image into a display format; 214, a display for displayingan image; 215, a loudspeaker driver for outputting an audio signal; 216,a loudspeaker; 217, an external input/output terminal forinputting/outputting various kinds of information; 218, a PHS interfacefor performing line control of, e.g., a PHS or the like; 219, an RFcircuit for converting transmission data into radio data; 220, anantenna; 221, a power supply; 222, an external memory; 223, arecorder/player; and 230, a CPU for controlling the video camera systemwith telephone.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the CPU 230 in FIG. 4 in detail.Referring to FIG. 5, reference numeral 251 denotes a clock circuit foroperating the CPU; 252, a CPU core; 253, a ROM for storing a program;254, a RAM for storing data; 255, a memory controller for controlling anexternal memory and the like; 256, a bus controller for controlling abus; 257, an I/O controller for interfacing external input/output; 258,a programmable pulse generator (PPG) for generating pulse data; 259, aserial communication interface (SCI) for controlling communications withan external device; 260, an extra bus controller for controllingcommunications with an external bus; 261, a D/A converter for convertingdigital data into analog data; 262, a display controller for controllingthe display; and 263, a DMA for data transfer. The individual blocks areconnected to each other via a data bus, address bus, and control bus.

In the block diagram shown in FIG. 4, incoming light from an object viathe lens 201 is converted into an electrical signal by the solid-statesensor 202. The electrical signal is sampled by the A/D converter 203 tobe converted into digital signal, and is input to the CPU 230 as adigital video signal. The lens 201 is driven by the motor 204 inaccordance with a control command from the CPU :230 to attain anauto-focus function and zoom function.

A timing signal for reading data from the solid-state sensor 202 isgenerated by the CPU 230. An audio signal picked up by the microphone209 is amplified by the microphone amplifier 210, and is sampled by theA/D converter 211 to be converted into digital data. The digital audiodata is input to the CPU 230.

The digital video data undergoes basic processes such as colorseparation, white balance, gamma correction, aperture correction, andthe like, and additional processes such as image size/image qualityadjustment, position adjustment, and the like set using the operationkeys 212 of the video camera 200 with telephone. Furthermore, thedigital video data is compressed by a pre-set compression method andcompression parameters to obtain compressed image data.

The audio data undergoes additional processes such as audio adjustmentset using the operation keys 212 of the video camera 200 with telephone,and is compressed by the pre-set compression method and compressionparameters to obtain compressed audio data.

The compressed image and audio data are re-formatted as radiotransmission data, and are sent to the PHS interface 218 as transmissiondata together with control data. Also, the compressed image and audiodata are sent to the recorder/player 223, and are recorded in an imagerecording mode. Furthermore, the compressed image and audio data aresent to the external input/output terminals 217 as needed. Moreover, thecompressed image data is expanded as needed (in response to an operationof a corresponding one of the operation keys 212), and is displayed onthe 214 via the display driver 213 as an image used for confirmingtransmission video data.

Data converted according to the radio protocol by the PHS interface 218is modulated by the RF circuit 219, and the modulated data istransmitted from the antenna 220. On the other hand, radio data receivedat the antenna 220 is demodulated by the RF circuit 219, and isconverted according to the radio protocol by the PHS interface 218 toobtain received data. The received data is sent to the CPU 230.

The received data is separated into received control data, receivedcompressed audio data, and received compressed audio data, and the videocamera 200 with telephone is controlled according to the receivedcontrol data. The received compressed audio data is expanded and outputto the loudspeaker 216 via the loudspeaker driver 215. The receivedcompressed image data is expanded and output to the display 214 via thedisplay driver 213.

The external memory 222 such as a DRAM, SRAM, or the like is used forthe data process of the CPU 230. The external memory 222 can save asensed image, received image, recorded voice, received voice, and thelike. The power of the video camera 200 with telephone is supplied fromthe power supply 221. The alerting vibrator 205 vibrates to inform theuser of reception of an incoming call upon receiving a call in thenormal call reception mode.

The operation of the CPU 230 shown in the block diagram in FIG. 5 willbe explained below.

The clock circuit 251 generates CPU driving clocks, and supplies them toperipheral circuits. In this embodiment, fundamental clocks of 27 MHzare multiplied 10-fold by a PLL to obtain driving clocks of 270 MHz forthe CPU 230. The ROM 253 is a memory that stores program codes, and aprogram is executed by those codes. This memory may be replaced by aflash memory, EEPROM, or the like. The RAM 254 serves as a data memoryfor temporarily saving data.

The memory controller 255 is a circuit block for interfacing with anexternal memory, which is used for temporarily saving large-size datasuch as image data, audio data, and the like.

The display controller 262 is a circuit block for converting digitalimage data into output data to be sent to the display 214. The D/Aconverter 261 is used for, e.g., converting digital audio data intoanalog data.

The serial communication interface 259 makes serial data communicationswith external peripheral circuits, the PHS interface 218, and the like.The programmable pulse generator 258 generates driving pulses for thealerting vibrator, solid-state sensor, and motor. At this time, byarbitrarily setting the driving pulses for the solid-state sensor,various input conditions such as the size, the number of pixels, and thelike of an input image can be arbitrarily set.

The I/O controller 257 serves as a data I/O interface, whichinputs/outputs digital image data, digital audio data, operation keyinputs, and other control signals. These blocks are connected via thebus, which is controlled by the bus controller 256, and transfers dataunder the control of the DMA 263. Also, the bus can be connected to anexternal bus via the extra bus controller 260. Using these peripheralcircuits, the CPU core 252 executes data processes.

In this embodiment, the PHS is used for radio transmission. However,communication bands, methods, and the like are not particularly limited.For example, an analog radio telephone, W-CDMA, and the like may beused.

FIG. 6 shows some steps of the flow chart of the CPU 230. The flowstarts in step S100, and it is checked in step S101 if an incoming callis detected. If NO in step S101, the flow jumps to step S110; otherwise,it is checked in step S102 if image recording is underway. If NO in stepS102, the flow jumps to step S105; otherwise, the pre-set mode ischecked in step S103. If “no mode change” is set, the flow jumps to stepS105; if the image recording pause mode is set, the image recording modeis switched to the image recording pause mode in step S104. In stepS105, the call reception mode is checked. If normal call reception isselected, the call reception informing function normally operates toinform the user of reception of an incoming call in step S107. On theother hand, if image recording call reception is selected, some callreception functions that may influence image recording are stopped, anda call reception message is displayed on the display in step S106. Then,the flow advances to step S110.

FIG. 7 is a sequence chart upon receiving a call. Upon reception of aconnection request from the calling party, the video camera issues aconnection standby command to the calling party depending on the pre-setoperation mode of the video camera. The video camera changes the mode ordisplays a call reception message if required depending on the pre-setcontents of the call reception mode and video camera operation mode, andthe current video camera operation mode, and issues a connectioncompletion command. Then, normal connection proceeds in response to aconnection completion acknowledge message from the calling party.

FIG. 8 shows a display example on the display 214 in this embodiment. Ascreen 600 displays an image which is being recorded, and a window 601shows information of the calling party. More specifically, the window601 displays various kinds of information, i.e., “call reception”indicating that an incoming call is received, “important” indicating theimportance level of a connection request, “meeting” indicating subjectmatter, and the face image of the calling party. Those informationcontents are displayed based on information appended to the connectionrequest from the calling party.

According to this embodiment, image recording can be satisfactorily donewithout being influenced by an unexpected call. In accordance with thepre-set modes, the operator can be appropriately informed of receptionof an incoming call. Also, the operator can be adequately informed ofthe information contents.

To restate, according to this embodiment, since the operator isadequately informed of reception of an incoming call in accordance withthe operation mode of the video camera at the time of call reception,the telephone function and video camera function can be appropriatelycombined. Hence, a video camera with telephone having high operabilitycan be provided.

(Second Embodiment)

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an imagecommunication apparatus according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, reference numeral 401 denotes a lens; 402, a stopof the lens; 403, a motor for driving a zoom lens; 404, a driving meansfor driving the zoom lens; 405, a motor for driving the stop; 406, adriving means for driving a stop mechanism; 407, a motor for driving afocus lens; and 408, a driving means for driving the focus lens.

Reference numeral 409 denotes an image sensing element (CCD); 410, aCDS/AGC circuit for sampling & holding a video signal output from theimage sensing element, and performing AGC (auto gain control) of thevideo signal; 411, an A/D converter for converting an analog signal intoa digital signal; 412, a camera signal processing circuit for processingluminance and color signals to obtain an appropriate video signal; and413, an image compression/expansion circuit for compressing/expanding animage. The image compression/expansion circuit 413 uses, for example,JPEG, H263, a DV format, or the like.

Reference numeral 414 denotes a memory; 415, a communication protocolcircuit; 416, a PHS transmitter/receiver; 417, a microcomputer; 418, aD/A converter for converting a digital signal into an analog signal;419, an antenna; 420, a monitor (or a liquid crystal display device);421, a key discrimination circuit; and 422, a ten-key pad for inputtinga telephone number.

Reference numeral 423 denotes a microphone; 424, an audio signalprocessing circuit for processing an audio signal input from themicrophone to obtain an appropriate signal; 425, an A/D converter forconverting an analog audio signal into a digital signal; 426, an areasetting pulse generation circuit; 427, a gate circuit for setting an AF(auto-focus) area; and 429, an AF evaluation value processing circuit.Reference numeral 431 denotes a telephone/camera mode selection switch;and 432, a character generator.

The operation of the above arrangement will be explained below.

Incoming light from an object via the lens 401 is photoelectricallyconverted into an electrical signal by the image sensing element 409.The electrical signal is processed by the camera signal processingcircuit 412 to obtain a video signal. Furthermore, the video data iscompressed by the image compression/expansion circuit 413, and thecompressed data is stored in the memory 414.

The data compressed by the image compression/expansion circuit 413 isprocessed by the communication protocol circuit 415 to obtain dataaccording to a prescribed communication rule, and the processed data istransmitted from the antenna 419 via the PHS transmitter/receiver 416.The data output from the camera signal processing circuit 412 isconverted into an analog signal by the D/A converter 418, and the analogsignal is processed to be displayed on the monitor. After that, an imageis output to the monitor.

Moreover, image and audio radio signals transmitted from an externaldevice are received by the PHS transmitter/receiver 416 via the antenna419, and image and audio data are obtained via the communicationprotocol circuit 415. After that, the image data is. expanded by theimage compression/expansion circuit 413, and is output to the monitorvia the D/A converter 418.

The microcomputer 417 controls the system of this apparatus, andperforms various kinds of lens control (control of the focus lens, zoomlens, and stop), camera signal processing control, communicationcontrol, key control, and the like.

The ten-key pad 422 is used for inputting the telephone number of thecalled party upon placing a call, and the discrimination circuit 421discriminates the input key. The output from the discrimination circuit421 is input to the microcomputer 417, which executes a series ofcontrol processes for initiating a call.

The same applies to an audio signal. That is, after a voice is inputfrom the microphone 423, the audio signal is processed by the audiosignal processing circuit 424, and is input to the communicationprotocol circuit 415 via the audio A/D converter 425. After that, theaudio signal is transmitted as a radio signal from the antenna 419 viathe PHS transmitter/receiver as in the video signal.

The characteristic feature of this embodiment will be explained below.

An auto-focus signal is output from the camera signal processing circuit412, and an image signal is gated based on arbitrarily set area settingpulses output from the area setting pulse generation circuit 426 in theAF gate circuit 427. More specifically, this block can designate anobject to be focused on the screen. After that, the AF evaluation valueprocessing circuit 429 appropriately processes the auto-focus signal,and outputs the processed signal to the microcomputer 417. Themicrocomputer 417 outputs a signal for driving the lens to adjust thefocus on the object to be focused. The timings of pulses generated bythe area setting pulse generation circuit 426 are set by the ten-key pad422 (#0 to #9). The ten-key pad 422 is also used for inputting atelephone number, and is one of the characteristic features of thisembodiment.

The operations and arrangement of the ten-key pad will be explainedbelow. The ten-key pad 422 can be used in two modes by thetelephone/camera mode selection switch 413, as shown in FIG. 10.

When the user sets the telephone mode using the telephone/camera modeselection switch 431 to make a call, the ten-key pad 422 serves as keysused for inputting a telephone number, as in the telephone mode shown inFIG. 10. More specifically, when the user inputs a telephone numberusing the ten-key pad 422, the microcomputer 417 recognizes thetelephone number via the key discrimination circuit 421, and supplies asignal to the communication protocol circuit 415 to call a personcorresponding to the input telephone number. After that, a call isplaced to the person corresponding to the input telephone number fromthe antenna 419 via the PHS transmitter/receiver 416.

On the other hand, when the telephone/camera mode selection switch 431is switched to the camera mode, the ten-key pad 422 serves: as keys forinputting an AF (auto-focus) set area, as shown in FIG. 10. For example,when the user wants to set an area from the center toward the upperright corner, as shown in FIG. 10, he or she pushes key #3 of theten-key pad 422, and the key discrimination circuit 421 converts thatinput into a signal for discriminating that key #3 has been pressed. Themicrocomputer 417 processes data to set an upper right area, and sendsthat data to the area setting pulse generation circuit 426, whichgenerates pulses corresponding to the position of the received data.After that, the AF area gate circuit 427 gates an image signal on thebasis of those pulses, i.e., passes only a focus signal within the setarea. The AF evaluation value processing circuit 429 processes the focussignal to attain in-focus, and inputs the processed signal to themicrocomputer 417, which outputs data for driving the lens to adjust afocus. The focus lens driving circuit 408 drives the lens based on thereceived data. In this way, an object within the set area can befocused. The microcomputer 417 inputs area setting data to the charactergenerator 432, which generates an area setting frame to be displayed ona display circuit, and displays the frame on the monitor 420.

Likewise, to move the area setting frame around #5 as the center, theuser pushes key #1 (upper left), #2 (upper), #3 (upper right) #4 (left),#5 (preset at the center), #6 (right), #7 (lower left), #8 (lower), or#9 (lower right) to adjust the focus on an object within the set area heor she selected, on the basis of the same operation principle asmentioned above. The monitor 420 displays the area setting frame at thattime.

As described above, according to this embodiment, since a common switchcan efficiently provide two functions, the design of a compact portabledevice can be prevented from being impaired and its size can beprevented from increasing.

(Third Embodiment)

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an imagecommunication apparatus according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention. The same reference numerals in the third embodiment shown inFIG. 11 denote the same parts as those in the second embodiment shown inFIG. 9, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 11, reference numeral 428 denotes an AE area gatecircuit; and 430, an AE evaluation value processing circuit.

The characteristic feature of this embodiment will be explained below.

An image exposure signal is output from the camera signal processingcircuit 412, and an image signal is gated based on arbitrarily set areasetting pulses output from the area setting pulse generation circuit 426in the AE gate circuit 428. More specifically, this block can designatean object to be adjusted to have optimal exposure state on the screen.After that, the AE evaluation value processing circuit 430 appropriatelyprocesses the signal for obtaining an optimal exposure value, andoutputs the processed signal to the microcomputer 417.

The microcomputer 417 outputs a signal for driving the stop so that theselected object has an optimal exposure value. The timings of pulsesgenerated by the area setting pulse generation circuit 426 are set bythe ten-key pad 422 (#0 to #9). The ten-key pad 422 is also used forinputting a telephone number, and is one of the characteristic featuresof this embodiment.

The operations and arrangement of the ten-key pad will be explainedbelow. The ten-key pad 422 can be used in two modes, as shown in FIG.10.

When the user sets the telephone mode using the telephone/camera modeselection switch 431 to make a call, the ten-key pad 422 serves as keysused for inputting a telephone number, as in the telephone mode shown inFIG. 10. More specifically, when the user inputs a telephone numberusing the ten-key pad 422, the microcomputer 417 recognizes thetelephone number via the key discrimination circuit 421, and supplies asignal to the communication protocol circuit 415 to call a personcorresponding to the input telephone number. After that, a call isplaced to the person corresponding to the input telephone number fromthe antenna 419 via the PHS transmitter/receiver 416.

On the other hand, when the telephone/camera mode selection switch 431is switched to the camera mode, the ten-key pad 422 serves as keys forinputting an AE (auto-iris) set area, as shown in FIG. 10. For example,when the user wants to set an area from the center toward the upperright corner, as shown in FIG. 10, he or she pushes key #3 of theten-key pad 422, and the key discrimination circuit 421 converts thatinput into a signal for discriminating that key #3 has been pressed. Themicrocomputer 417 processes data to set an upper right area, and sendsthat data to the area setting pulse generation circuit 426, whichgenerates pulses corresponding to the position of the received data.After that, the AE area gate circuit 428 gates an image signal on thebasis of those pulses, i.e., passes only an exposure signal within theset area. The AE evaluation value processing circuit 430 processes theexposure signal to obtain an optimal exposure value, and inputs theprocessed signal to the microcomputer 417, which outputs data fordriving the stop to obtain an optimal exposure value. The stop mechanismdriving means 406 drives the stop 402 based on the received data. Inthis way, an optimal exposure value can be obtained with respect to anobject within the set area. The microcomputer 417 inputs area settingdata to the character generator 432, which generates an area settingframe to be displayed on a display circuit, and displays the frame onthe monitor 420.

Likewise, to move the area setting frame around #5 as the center, theuser pushes key #1 (upper left), #2 (upper), #3 (upper right) #4 (left),#5 (preset at the center), #6 (right), #7 (lower left), #8 (lower), or#9 (lower right) to obtain an optimal exposure value for an objectwithin the set area he or she selected, on the basis of the sameoperation principle as mentioned above. The monitor 420 displays thearea setting frame at that time.

As described above, according to this embodiment, since a common switchcan efficiently provide two functions, the design of a compact portabledevice can be prevented from being impaired and its size can beprevented from increasing.

(Fourth Embodiment)

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an imagecommunication apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of thepresent invention. The same reference numerals in the fourth embodimentshown in FIG. 12 denote the same parts as those in the second embodimentshown in FIG. 9, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 12, reference numeral 433 denotes an imageenlargement/reduction circuit.

The characteristic feature of this embodiment will be explained below.

An image signal is output from the camera signal processing circuit 412,and the image enlargement/reduction circuit 433 electronically enlargesan image within a set area on the basis of area setting data output fromthe area setting pulse generation circuit 426.

The enlarged image is displayed on a display circuit via the camerasignal processing circuit 412 and D/A converter 418.

The timings of pulses generated by the area setting pulse generationcircuit 426 are set by the ten-key pad 422 (#0 to #9). The ten-key pad422 is also used for inputting a telephone number, and is one of thecharacteristic features of this embodiment.

The operations and arrangement of the ten-key pad will be explainedbelow. The ten-key pad 422 can be used in two modes, as shown in FIG.10.

When the user sets the telephone mode using the telephone/camera modeselection switch 431 to make a call, the ten-key pad 422 serves as keysused for inputting a telephone number, as in the telephone mode shown inFIG. 10. More specifically, when the user inputs a telephone numberusing the ten-key pad 422, the microcomputer 417 recognizes thetelephone number via the key discrimination circuit 421, and supplies asignal to the communication protocol circuit 415 to call a personcorresponding to the input telephone number. After that, a call isplaced to the person corresponding to the input telephone number fromthe antenna 419 via the PHS transmitter/receiver 416.

On the other hand, when the telephone/camera mode selection switch 431is switched to the camera mode, the ten-key pad 422 serves as keys forarbitrarily inputting an area to be enlarged on the screen by the user,as shown in the camera mode of FIG. 10.

For example, when the user wants to enlarge an upper right object, asshown in FIG. 10, he or she pushes key #3 of the ten-key pad 422, andthe key discrimination circuit 421 converts that input into a signal fordiscriminating that key #3 has been pressed. The microcomputer 417processes data to set an upper right area, and sends that data to thearea setting pulse generation circuit 426, which generates pulsescorresponding to the position of the received data. After that, theimage enlargement/reduction circuit 433 electronically enlarges an imagewithin the area of that data. The enlarged image is displayed on thedisplay circuit via the camera signal processing circuit 412 and D/Aconverter 418.

The microcomputer 417 inputs area setting data to the charactergenerator 432, which generates an area setting frame to be displayed onthe display circuit, and displays the frame on the monitor 420.Likewise, to move the area setting frame around #5 as the center, theuser pushes key #1 (upper left), #2 (upper), #3 (upper right) #4 (left),#5 (preset at the center), #6 (right), #7 (lower left), #8 (lower), or#9 (lower right) to an area for an object to be enlarged, and the objectwithin that area can be displayed as an enlarged image, on the basis ofthe same operation principle as mentioned above. Also, the set frame isdisplayed on the monitor 420.

Also, reduction is done based on the same operation principle as inenlargement.

(Fifth Embodiment)

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an imagecommunication apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention. The same reference numerals in the fifth embodiment shown inFIG. 13 denote the same parts as those in the second embodiment shown inFIG. 9, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The characteristic feature of this embodiment will be explained below.

The microcomputer 417 controls a plurality of functions. For example,the microcomputer 417 controls white balance set, shutter, and fade ascamera functions, and teleconversion, wipe, scroll, and the like asdigital effect functions, and executes a function selected by externaloperation. As a method of allowing the user to easily operate suchmultiple functions, menu setup is available. This embodiment is directedto improving the functions of operation switches to attain menu setups,and will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

The ten-key pad 422 can be used in two modes by a telephone/menu modeselection switch 431, as shown in FIG. 14.

When the user sets the telephone mode using the telephone/menu modeselection switch 431 to make a call, the ten-key pad 422 serves as keysused for inputting a telephone number, as in the telephone mode shown inFIG. 14. More specifically, when the user inputs a telephone numberusing the ten-key pad 422, the microcomputer 417 recognizes thetelephone number via the key discrimination circuit 421, and supplies asignal to the communication protocol circuit 415 to call a personcorresponding to the input telephone number. After that, a call isplaced to the person corresponding to the input telephone number fromthe antenna 419 via the PHS transmitter/receiver 416.

On the other hand, when the telephone/menu mode selection switch 431 isswitched to the menu mode, a plurality of functions available aredisplayed on the screen, and the user selects a function to be executedusing the ten-key pad 422, as shown in the menu mode of FIG. 14.

For example, when the user wants to execute “title”, and if the cursoris currently located at “scroll”, the user pushes key #6 of the menu-keypad (ten-key pad) 422, and then pushes key #2 to select “title”. Thatis, the user can move the cursor upward, leftward, downward, andrightward by pushing keys #2, #4, #8, and #6 of the ten-key pad 422 toselect a function he or she wants to designate. At this time, when theuser pushes a given key on the ten-key pad 422, data of the selecteditem is input from the microcomputer 417 to the character generator 432via the key discrimination circuit 421, and the character generator 432generates display data to be displayed on the display circuit, thusmaking a display on the monitor 420.

More specifically, the user can select and execute a desired functionwhile observing displayed menu items, and switches are easy to operatesince they have the same layout as that of menu items displayed. Sincecommon switches are efficiently and selectively used in the TEL and menumodes, such arrangement is very effective for a portable device whichmust attain a size reduction.

As described above, according to the second to fifth embodiments, in aportable device which has camera and communication functions like avideophone, a compact image communication apparatus which has a functionof allowing the user to adjust the focus on an arbitrary object to besensed on the screen, and can provide many functions without increasingthe number of switches and impairing design, can be provided.

Also, a low-cost image communication apparatus which is easy to operatesince it adopts an efficient switch layout can be provided.

Furthermore, a compact image communication apparatus which has afunction of allowing the user to obtain an optimal exposure value on anarbitrary object to be sensed on the screen, and can provide manyfunctions without increasing the number of switches and impairingdesign, can be provided.

Moreover, a compact image communication apparatus which has a functionof allowing the user to enlarge or reduce an arbitrary object to besensed on the screen, and can provide many functions without increasingthe number of switches and impairing design, can be provided.

In addition, a compact image communication apparatus which allows theuser to select and execute a function while observing menu itemsdisplayed, is easy to operate since switches and displayed items have acommon layout, and can provide many functions without increasing thenumber of switches and impairing design, can be provided.

To restate, according to the second to fifth embodiments, a low-costimage communication apparatus, which is easy to operate since it adoptsan efficient switch layout, while providing many functions, can beprovided.

(Sixth Embodiment)

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an imagecommunication apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 15, reference numeral 501 denotes a lens; 502, a stopof the lens; 503, a motor for driving a zoom lens; 504, a driving meansfor driving the zoom lens; 505, a motor for driving the stop; 506, adriving means for driving a stop mechanism; 507, a motor for driving afocus lens; and 508, a driving means for driving the focus lens.

Reference numeral 509 denotes an image sensing element (CCD); 510, aCDS/AGC circuit for sampling & holding a video signal output from theimage sensing element, and performing AGC (auto gain control) of thevideo signal; 511, an A/D converter for converting an analog signal intoa digital signal; 512, a camera signal processing circuit for processingluminance and color signals to obtain an appropriate video signal; and513, an image compression/expansion circuit for compressing/expanding animage. The image compression/expansion circuit 513 uses, for example,JPEG, H263, a DV format, or the like.

Reference numeral 514 denotes a memory; 515, a communication protocolcircuit; 516, a PHS transmitter/receiver; 517, a microcomputer; 518, aD/A converter for converting a digital signal into an analog signal;519, an antenna; 520, a monitor (or a liquid crystal display device);521, a key discrimination circuit; and 522, a ten-key pad for inputtinga telephone number.

Reference numeral 523 denotes a microphone; 524, an audio signalprocessing circuit for processing an audio signal input from themicrophone to obtain an appropriate signal; 525, an A/D converter forconverting an analog audio signal into a digital signal; 526, an areasetting pulse generation circuit; 527, a gate circuit for setting an AF(auto-focus) area; 529, an AF evaluation value processing circuit; and531, a selection switch for selecting a telephone function upon placinga call.

The operation of the above arrangement will be explained below.

Incoming light from an object via the lens 501 is photoelectricallyconverted into an electrical signal by the image sensing element 509.The electrical signal is processed by the camera signal processingcircuit 512 to obtain a video signal. Furthermore, the video data iscompressed by the image compression/expansion circuit 513, and thecompressed data is stored in the memory 514.

The data compressed by the image compression/expansion circuit 513 isprocessed by the communication protocol circuit 515 to obtain dataaccording to a prescribed communication protocol, and the processed datais transmitted from the antenna 519 via the PHS transmitter/receiver516. The data output from the camera signal processing circuit 512 isconverted into an analog signal by the D/A converter 518, and the analogsignal is processed to be displayed on the monitor. After that, an imageis output to the monitor.

Moreover, image and audio radio signals transmitted from an externaldevice are received by the PHS transmitter/receiver 516 via the antenna519, and image and audio data are obtained via the communicationprotocol circuit 515. After that, the image data is expanded by theimage compression/expansion circuit 513, and is output to the monitorvia the D/A converter 518.

The microcomputer 517 controls the system of this apparatus, andperforms various kinds of lens control (control of the focus lens, zoomlens, and stop), camera signal processing control, communicationcontrol, key control, and the like.

The ten-key pad 522 is used for inputting the telephone number of thecalled party upon placing a call, and the discrimination circuit 521discriminates the input key. The output from the discrimination circuit521 is input to the microcomputer 517, which executes a series ofcontrol processes for initiating a call.

The same applies to an audio signal. That is, after a voice is inputfrom the microphone 523, the audio signal is processed by the audiosignal processing circuit 524, and is input to the communicationprotocol circuit 515 via the audio A/D converter 525. After that, theaudio signal is transmitted as a radio signal from the antenna 519 viathe PHS transmitter/receiver as in the video signal.

In this embodiment, an image can be sensed by the camera, and a functionof adjusting the focus on an object at an arbitrary position on thescreen is available as one of functions that can be used upon imagesensing. The function will be explained below.

An auto-focus signal is output from the camera signal processing circuit512, and an image signal is gated based on arbitrarily set area settingpulses output from the area setting pulse generation circuit 526 in theAF gate circuit 527. More specifically, this block can designate anobject to be focused on the screen. After that, the AF evaluation valueprocessing circuit 529 appropriately processes the auto-focus signal,and outputs the processed signal to the microcomputer 517. Themicrocomputer 517 outputs a signal for driving the lens to adjust thefocus on the object to be focused. The timings of pulses generated bythe area setting pulse generation circuit 526 are set by the ten-key pad522 (#0 to #9). The ten-key pad 522 is also used for inputting atelephone number, and is one of the characteristic features of thisembodiment.

The operation and arrangement of the ten-key pad 522 will be explainedbelow.

The telephone mode execution switch 531 is used for selecting thetelephone function upon placing a call. When the telephone modeexecution switch 531 has been pressed, the ten-key pad 522 has atelephone mode function shown in FIG. 16; when the switch 531 is notpressed, the ten-key pad 522 has a camera mode function shown in FIG.16.

When the user has pressed the telephone mode execution switch 531 toplace a call, the ten-key pad 522 serves as keys for inputting atelephone number, as shown in the telephone mode of FIG. 16. When theuser inputs a telephone number using the ten-key pad 522, themicrocomputer 517 recognizes the telephone number via the keydiscrimination circuit 521, and supplies a signal to the communicationprotocol circuit 515 to call a person corresponding to the inputtelephone number. After that, a call is placed to the personcorresponding to the input telephone number from the antenna 519 via thePHS transmitter/receiver 516.

When the user does not make a call or is talking to another person, theten-key pad 522 serve as keys for inputting an AF (auto-focus) set area,as shown in the camera mode in FIG. 16.

For example, when the user wants to set an area from the center towardthe upper right corner, as shown in FIG. 16, he or she pushes key #3 ofthe ten-key pad 522, and the key discrimination circuit 521 convertsthat input into a signal for discriminating that key #3 has beenpressed. The microcomputer 517 processes data to set an upper rightarea, and sends that data to the area setting pulse generation circuit526, which generates pulses corresponding to the position of thereceived data. After that, the AF area gate circuit 527 gates an imagesignal on the basis of those pulses, i.e., passes only a focus signalwithin the set area. The AF evaluation value processing circuit 529processes the focus signal to attain in-focus, and inputs the processedsignal to the microcomputer 517, which outputs data for driving the lensto adjust the focus. The focus lens driving circuit 508 drives the lensbased on the received data. In this way, an object within the set areacan be focused.

Likewise, to move the area setting frame around #5 as the center, theuser pushes key #1 (upper left), #2 (upper), #3 (upper right) #4 (left),#5 (preset at the center), #6 (right), #7 (lower left), #8 (lower), or#9 (lower right) to adjust the focus on an object within the set area heor she selected, on the basis of the same operation principle asmentioned above. The monitor 520 displays the area setting frame at thattime.

As described above, the characteristic feature of this embodiment is toefficiently and selectively use common switches in two functions (one ofwhich is the telephone mode function, and the other is the camera modefunction). The characteristic feature of this embodiment will beexplained in more detail below with reference to the flow chart in FIG.17. All operations in this flow chart are processed by the microcomputer517.

When the flow starts in step S601, the user turns on the power switch ofthe apparatus in step S602.

Upon power ON, camera functions such as an image sensing system, AFfunction, ZOOM function, AF frame movement setup function, and the like,are enabled in step S603.

In step S604, the control waits until the user selects the telephonemode. If the user has pressed the telephone mode execution switch 531 toplace a call, the telephone mode function is enabled.

In step S605, some of the camera functions are turned off or disabled.

After the telephone function mode is selected, the ten-key pad 522serves as switches for inputting a telephone number to be called, andthe user inputs the telephone number to be called in step S606.

In step S607, transmission to the called party is executed.

It is checked in step S608 if a voice communication with the calledparty has been established. If YES in step S608, some of telephone modefunctions are automatically turned off in step S609. For instance, thetelephone number input function is turned off.

After that, the camera mode function is turned on again in step S610 toenable the image sensing system and AF and ZOOM functions.

The operation then ends in step S612.

More specifically, as can be seen from the aforementioned flow chart, inthis embodiment, two functions are assigned to common switches: one isthe camera mode (image sensing mode) function, and the other is thetelephone mode function. Upon depression of the telephone mode executionswitch 531, the telephone mode function is enabled, and the ten-key pad522 serves as telephone number input switches. After that, if a voicecommunication with a partner has been confirmed, the telephone modefunction is automatically switched to the camera mode (image sensingmode) function, and the ten-key pad 522 serves as AF frame movementsetup switches. Only a required function is automatically enabled whenit is required in place of always enabling two functions, so as toattain power savings. Also, since two functions are attained usingcommon switches, a compact, low-cost image communication apparatus canbe provided.

FIG. 18 shows another example of common switches used in two functionsin addition to the aforementioned ten-key pad. This switch is a rotaryswitch. As shown in FIG. 18, the switch serves as one for selecting oneof telephone numbers registered in advance in the telephone mode. Whenthe user has confirmed a voice communication with a partner, the switchis automatically switched to the one for the camera mode. In FIG. 18,the switch serves as a zoom switch.

(Seventh Embodiment)

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an imagecommunication apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of thepresent invention. The same reference numerals in the seventh embodimentshown in FIG. 19 denote the same parts as those in the sixth embodimentshown in FIG. 15, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The seventh embodiment comprises a character generator 532 unlike thesixth embodiment.

The arrangement and contents as the characteristic feature of thisembodiment will be explained below.

As in the sixth embodiment described above, incoming light from anobject via the lens 501 is photoelectrically converted into anelectrical signal by the image sensing element 509. The electricalsignal is processed by the camera signal processing circuit 512 toobtain a video signal. Furthermore, the video data is compressed by theimage compression/expansion circuit 513, and the compressed data isstored in the memory 514.

The data compressed by the image compression/expansion circuit 513 isprocessed by the communication protocol circuit 515 to obtain dataaccording to a prescribed communication rule, and the processed data istransmitted from the antenna 519 via the PHS transmitter/receiver 516.The data output from the camera signal processing circuit 512 isconverted into an analog signal by the D/A converter 518, and the analogsignal is processed to be displayed on the monitor. After that, an imageis output to the monitor.

Moreover, image and audio radio signals transmitted from an externaldevice are received by the PHS transmitter/receiver 516 via the antenna519, and image and audio data are obtained via the communicationprotocol circuit 515. After that, the image data is expanded by theimage compression/expansion circuit 513, and is output to the monitorvia the D/A converter 518.

The microcomputer 517 controls the system of this apparatus, andperforms various kinds of lens control (control of the focus lens, zoomlens, and stop), camera signal processing control, communicationcontrol, key control, and the like.

The ten-key pad 522 is used for inputting the telephone number of thecalled party upon placing a call, and the discrimination circuit 521discriminates the input key. The output from the discrimination circuit521 is input to the microcomputer 517, which executes a series ofcontrol processes for placing a call.

The same applies to an audio signal. That is, after a voice is inputfrom the microphone 523, the audio signal is processed by the audiosignal processing circuit 524, and is input to the communicationprotocol circuit 515 via the audio A/D converter 525. The audio signalis then transmitted as a radio signal from the antenna 519 via the PHStransmitter/receiver as in the video signal. In this embodiment, animage can be sensed by the camera, and a function of adjusting the focuson an object at an arbitrary position on the screen is available as oneof functions that can be used upon image sensing. In this case, theoperations that have already been described in the sixth embodiment aredone.

As described in the sixth embodiment, the characteristic feature of thesixth and seventh embodiments is to efficiently and selectively usecommon switches in two functions (one of which is the telephone modefunction, and the other is the camera mode function). The contents ofthat characteristic feature has already been described with reference tothe flow chart in FIG. 17. Furthermore, in the seventh embodiment, thedisplay in the telephone mode can be automatically switched betweenthose shown in FIGS. 16 and 18.

When the user has pressed the telephone mode execution switch 531 toplace a call, the microcomputer 517 outputs data to the charactergenerator 532 to display the telephone number and called party's name onthe monitor 520. When the user does not make a call or when it isconfirmed that a voice communication with a partner has been establishedupon placing a call, the camera mode is set, and an AF frame movementsetup frame or a zoom state (FIG. 18) is displayed on the monitor 520.

As has been described above, according to the sixth and seventhembodiments, in a portable device which has camera and communicationfunctions like a videophone, a compact image communication apparatuswhich can efficiently and selectively use the camera and telephonefunctions based on the outputs from the telephone mode execution switchand a voice communication detection circuit for determining if a voicecommunication has been established, so as to attain power savings, andselectively use common switches in two functions (camera and telephonefunctions) to provide many functions without increasing the number ofswitches and impairing design, can be provided.

Also, a low-cost image communication apparatus which is easy to operatesince it adopts an efficient switch layout can be provided.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments andvarious changes and modifications can be made within the spirit andscope of the present invention. Therefore, to apprise the public of thescope of the present invention the following claims are made.

What is claimed is:
 1. A video camera with telephone, which has a telephone and video camera in a single housing, comprising means for pausing image sensing of the video camera upon reception of a call during image sensing by the video camera.
 2. The video camera with telephone according to claim 1, wherein said means for pausing automatically pauses image sensing of the video camera upon reception of a call during image sensing by the video camera.
 3. A video camera with telephone, which has a telephone and video camera in a single housing, comprising means for stopping various call reception informing functions that disturb image sensing, and displaying a call reception message on a display, upon reception of a call during image sensing by the video camera.
 4. A video camera with telephone, which has a telephone and video camera in a single housing, comprising selection means for selecting a function of stopping various call reception informing functions that disturb image sensing, and displaying a call reception message on a display, upon reception of a call during image sensing by the video camera.
 5. A method of controlling a video camera with telephone, comprising the step of pausing image sensing of the video camera upon reception of a call during image sensing by the video camera.
 6. A storage medium storing a program for implementing a method of controlling a video camera with telephone of claim
 5. 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein said step of pausing automatically pauses image sensing of the video camera upon reception of a call during image sensing by the video camera.
 8. A method of controlling a video camera with telephone, comprising the step of stopping various call reception informing functions that disturb image sensing, and displaying a call reception message on a display, upon reception of a call during image sensing by the video camera.
 9. A storage medium storing a program for implementing a method of controlling a video camera with telephone of claim
 8. 10. A method of controlling a video camera with telephone, comprising the step of selecting a function of stopping various call reception informing functions that disturb image sensing, and displaying a call reception message on a display, upon reception of a call during image sensing by the video camera.
 11. A storage medium storing a program for implementing a method of controlling a video camera with telephone of claim
 10. 12. A video camera with telephone having a video camera and a vibrator for informing reception of a call, comprising: control means for activating the vibrator in the case that the video camera receives a call during the video camera is not carrying out image sensing operation, and for prohibiting an operation of the vibrator in the case that the video camera receives a call during the video camera is carrying out image sensing operation.
 13. A method of controlling a video camera with telephone having a video camera and a vibrator for informing reception of a call, comprising the steps of: activating the vibrator in the case that the video camera receives a call during the video camera is not carrying out image sensing operation; and prohibiting an operation of the vibrator in the case that the video camera receives a call during the video camera is carrying out image sensing operation.
 14. A storage medium storing a program for carrying out the method according to claim
 13. 